Power-transmission mechanism



July 29 1924.

W. l. WHEELER POWER TRANSMISS-ION MECHANISM Filed Sept. 15 1920JNVENTOR. /4/ eff/2r July 29 1924.

W. l. WHEELER POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Filed Sept. l5 1920 .2Sheets-Sheet 2 l INVENTOR. l WI h/eefer A panying drawings, wherein:

Peieniea Juny 279, 1924.

UNITED STATE-s PATENT oFF1cE.,-7

WILLIAM I. W'HEELER, OF SCOTTV'ILLE, ILLINOIS.

POWER-TRANSMISSION MECHNISMI.

Application ined september 15, 1920. serial No. 410,449.

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM I. WHEELER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Scottville, in the county of Macoupin and 5 State ofIllinois, have invented'certain new and useful Improvements inPower-Transmission Mechanisms, of which the follow- -ing is aspecication, reference being had to the: accompanying drawings.

This'invention relates to certain improvements in power transmissionmechanisms, and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel andimproved device of this general character wherein the speed of the.

driven shaft with respect to the driving shaft is automaticallvcontrolled Aand. par

shaft may be caused' topositively operate 0 at a high speed, low speed,or at an intermediate or second speed.

The invention consists in the detailsof construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved powertransmission mechanism whereby certain important advantages are attainedand the-,device rendered simpler, less expensive and otheivwise moreconvenient and advantageous for use, as will be 4o hereinafter morefully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter'be definitelyclaimed.- In order that my invention may 'be the `better understood, Iwill now proceed toden scribe the same with reference .to the accom-Figure 1 is a view partly inlongitudinal section and partly insideelevation. of a transmission mechanism constructed m accordance with anembodiment of my invention.

Figur stantially on the line 2 2 of Figurel. v

Fi v e 3 is a sectional view taken subw, stantially on the line 3 3v ofFigure 1,

e '2 is a sectionalI view ltaken' sub-x Figure 4 is a sectional viewtaken substantially on the line 4 4: of Figure 1, and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5 5 ofFigure 1. As disclosed in the accompanying drawlngs, D denotes a drivingshaft of a motor supported in a conventional manner and which extendswithin the housing or casin A. The housing or casing A has the enthereof remote from the driving shaft D e permanently closed by the heador wall 1. 'Ihe inserted end portion of the. shaft D, is operativelyengaged with anend portion of a shaft section S extending through androtatably supported by a ,plate P intersectin the housing or casing A.The opposite en por-tionl of the shaft section S is operatively engagedwith the driven shaft S: The

driven shaft S extends exteriorly of the.

housing or casing A through the bearing 2 rovided in the closed end-orhead 1 of said' ousing 'or casing.v

Loosely mounted upon thel shaft Dv within the housing or casing Ais a'hub 3 of requisite diameter and which'has its peripheral portion at oneend-'defined by an outstanding plate 4. At diametrically opposed points,the lperiphery of the hub 3 is provided with the sockets 5 from whichextend the links 6. The inner ends 'of the links 6 are provided with the'balls 7 seated in the supplemental sockets 8 so that the links 6 willbe carried substantially in a radial position when the hub 3 rotatesln'one direction but will be automatically shifted to a positioninclined to the radial when the .hub is shiftedin the oppositedirection. A 'Each of the'links 6 is pivotally connected tothe adjacentend portions of the frlction band or brake sections 9 and, as is 95particularly illustrated' in Figure 2, i-t is 'to be noted that one end'of each band or .brake section is pivoted inwardly of the adjacent endof the second 'band or brake section and that there is s'uicient spacebe- 100 tween the. band or brake sections to permit 'the same to rock.The links 6" operate as toggle links so that when the hub 1s rotated inone direction, the 'band or brake sections 9 will be expandedand whenrotated in the 105 Aopposite direction, said lband or brake sectionswill be contracted. .When the secr tions 9 Yare expanded theyrictionally engage the annular ange 10 arranged within the casing orhousing A and carried by the 110 peripheral wall thereof, said dange10'bmng concentric to the hulb 3. The general construction and arraneinen of the clutch mechanism just descri ed is substantially the sameas a similar structure embodled and claimed in my pendin applicationSerial No. 293,200, filed April by the end late or head 12-preferablyintegral therewith andwhich is provided at its axial center with a hublor bearin la through which the shaft section S is reely dis osed. Thehousin cr casin H, together witlh the plate e and ub 3, aord a membermounted upon -both of the shafts D- and S and in a manner whereby theshafts D' and S and the 'member are capable of independent rotation orfor rotation in unison in a manner which will new bedescribed.

The inserted end extremity of the shaft D has lxed thereto a relativelybroad gear 15. Meshing with the gear 15 are the diametrically opposedgears 16. Each of the gears 16 is tired to a shaft 17 rotatablysupported by a carriage 18. The carriage 18 is -sup orted by the wall ofthe housing or casing for sllding movement in a direction longitudinallyof the shafts D and S.

The inserted end extremity of the shaft S has aixed thereto a gear 19preferably of a greater radius than the gear 15. The gear 19 is in meshwith the ars 20, when the carriages are in one position, said gears 20being each fixed-to a shaft 17. By this means, the driving shaft D isoperatively engaged with the driven shaft S and in a manner whereby thedriven shaft S may be rotated at a speed less than the speed of thedriving shafty D. The various gears just referred to ma be of anydesired ratios so that the ratio o speed between the drivingxshait D andthe shaft S may be as preferred.

Each of the carriages 18 is also provided with a. relatively broad gear21 constantly in mesh with a gear 16. en the carriages 18 are sucient ymoved in a direction 15nwardly of' the shaft S, the gears 20 disengagefrom the gear 19 and the gears 21 are brought into mesh with the ar 19,resulting in a reverse rotation of t e shaft df rotation of the shaft ,Sis uired, a suitable braking means generally indicated atv 22 isemployed to positively hold the `en this reversing of the drell nena/aaahousing or casing H against rotation. rlhe mechanism as generallyindicatedl at 22 may be of any type preferred and is adapted to bemanually operated. from a point eXteriorly of the housing or Casin A andmay be of the construction indicated in my additional pendingapplication Serial No. 401,892, iled August 7, 1920.

23 denotes an actuating mechanism for the carriages 18 and whichmechanism may be operated in any desired manner. l wish it to beunderstood that it is not my purpose to limit the present embodiment ofmy invention to this particular arrangement of gears or reversingmechanism just described as any conventional mechanism may besubstituted therefor. l wish to state, however, that this particulararrangement and combination of gears and reversing mechanism is claimedin my pending application Serial No. 402,080, filed August 9, 1920, andwhich is a division of my ending application Serial No. 360,955, tiledFebruary 24, 1920.

Keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft S at a point inwardly of thehousing or casing H and in close proximity thereto is a disc or plate24C. The disc Yor plate 24 at diametrically opposed points is, providedwith the inwardly directed arms 25 of a length to extend inwardly ofthe'housin or casing H along the major length thereo The arms 25 arerelatively broad and operatively engaged with said arms 25 at aplurality of points spaced longitudinally thereof are the clutchingunits C. Each of said units C is adapted for co-action with the housingor casing H, each of said clutching'units in itself being of a tensioninsumcient to positively lock or hold Vthe housing or casing H againstrotary movement relative thereto but the combined action of saidclutching units being suilicient to effect such action.

Each of the clutching units C comprises the band or bralesections 26',an end por tion of one of said sections 26 being pivotally engaged, asat 2, with an arm 25 at one side of its transverse center, while an endportion ci the second band or'brake section is pivotally engaged, as at28, .with a second arm 25 at the opposite side of its transverse center.rlhe opposite or free end portion of each of the bralre or band sections26 is provided with anear or extension 29 extending through atransverselyV disposed slot 30 formed in the adjacent tion with a singleone of said ears or exten-A sions 29.

An end portion of each of the shafts 31 is provided with the laterallydisposed arm 34.-.provded at its free end portion with a weighted member35 so that under the centrifugal force created by the rotation of thedisc or plate 24 with the shaft S, the arms 34 will move outwardlyresulting in such rotation of the shafts 3]. to cause the cams 33 toengage the-ears or extensions 29 of the brake or band sections comprisedin each of the clamping units to cause said band or brake sections tohave the requisite frictional con- 'tact with the periphery ofthehousing or casing H whereby said casing or housing H may be caused torotate in unison with the shafts D and S so that the speed of the shaftS will be increased. It will be understood that when the clamping actionof the clutchf.

ing units C is suii'cient to hold the casing or houslng H againstrotation relative to said cltuching units, the Shaft S will positivelyrotate in second or intermediate, but the rotation of the shaft Sbetween second or intermediate and Alow will depend upon the amount ofslip the housing or casing H ma have with respect to the clutchinglunits In accordance with the amount of slip of the housing or casing Hwith respect to the clutching units C, the speed of the shaft SI will bereduced above low. As before stated,

the low speed of the shaft S occurs when the clutching units Cv are outof frictional or workingI engagement with the housing or casing The bandor brake sections 26- comprised in the clutching units C are normallymaintained out of frictional contact with the casing or housing H and,as herein disclosed, this is accomplished by the retractile members orsprings 4v.

The plate P has its peripheral portion suitably connected to the sideportion of an annular flange 10" arranged wlthin the casing or housing Aand carried by a wall thereof, said flange being concentric to the endportion ofthe shaft S remote from the gear 19. Coacting with the flange10 are the band or brake sections 9 carried by the hub 3 in the samemanner as hereinbefore set forth with sections 9.

The hub 3 has one end portion defined by respect to the brake or band'aanwending plus 4' to which is bolted or otherwise secured, as at 11',the housing or casing H. The hub 3 is loosely mountedl en the endportion of the shaft S remote from the ear 19 and the housing or casingH1 artialy surrounds the outer or driven s a preferably cylindrical inform sothatl the same mayconstitute a drum.

-The end portion of the housing or casing H lemote from the hub 3' isclosed by the S. The housing or casing H is also end plate or head 12provided at its axial center with a hubV 14 through which the shaft `Sis freely disposed. The housin or casing H', together with the plate 4an hub 3, afford a member mounted upon both of the shafts S and S and ina manner whereby the shafts S and S and the member are capable ofindependent rotation or for rotation in unison.

The end portion of the shaft S adjacent the shaft S hasfixed thereto agear 15. Meshing with the gear 15 are the diametrically opposed gears 16fixed to the shafts 17 rotatably supported'by the plate 4 and aninwardly directed bearing 37 carried by the pleripheral wall of thehousing or cas- 1n has 'ailixed thereto a gear 19 of a radius greatert-han the gear 15. The gear 19 is' in mesh with the gears 20', saidgears 20 being each fixed to a shaft 17 By this means,the shaft S isoperatively engaged with the shaft Sand in a manner whereby the Shaft Smay be rotated at a speed less than the speed `of the shaft S. Thevarious gears just remanually operated from a point exterior of thehousing or casing A in the same manner as disclosed in my pendingapplication Serial No. 401,892, tiled August 7, 1920.

In practice, the drivin shaft D, when the clutching elements are out ofengagement with the drum or casing H, makes two revolutions toonerevolution of the shaft S and this speed ofv the shaft S is alsotransmitted to the shaft S. The operative connection between the shaftsS and S is also in ratio of two vto one, thereb insuring a four to oneratio between the s afts D and S. Y When the clutching elements C engagethe drum or casingH to eEect a unitary rotation of the shafts, Dy

The inserted end portion of the shaft S I and S, the shaft S will run ina positive r second or intermediate speed. When the clutching elements Cengage the housing H to e'ect the' unitary rotation of the shafts S andS', the shaft S will be rotatn in high 'speed as the shafts D, S andwill all vrotate in unison.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen.

that with m improved mechanism as herein embodie the Speed ofthe shaftS' is automatically changed frein low speed to intermediate and theninto high or direct drive. When the shaft S is rotating in high, theclutchin elements C will dlsengage the coacting rum H betere theclutchlng elements C because the clutching elements C possess llessleverage than theelernents C. When the clutching elements C `becomeinoperative or disengaged from the member H', the shaft S will operateon a positive second kor intermediate speed. Upon a further retarding'ofthe shaft S', dependent upon the load, the clutching elements Cbecome ino erative or disengaed from the coacting ousing or casing i?whereupon the shaft 1S is caused to rotate at the lowest speed which isdetermined hy the gear ratio employed. To edect e reverse rotation or'the shaft S, the shitting of the operating mechanism in a rearwsrddirection causes the gear @dto disenga e the gear i9 and the gear 21 toengage t e ygear 19, thus causing a reverse ratio ci shafts D and S, Thebrake band 22 grips the member or housing H to hold it a einst rotationin a direction opposite tol e dis rection orotation ci' the shafts S dS. The brake hand 22 coacts with the housing or casing-A. for the samepurpose, l

While not necessary, it is preferred that the brake elements or bands 22and @2' he operated in unison from a single pedal or' llever lout asthis in itself is not helieved to form a particular4 part ci the presentinvention, a detail description and illustration ci this struc isthought unor hold the coasting housing or casing l against rotation orre ative movement, it is to he understood it for any reason et loecomesnecry at eny one of the units have sucient tension to edect such.locking or holding action, it will only' be necessary to adjust theleverage et the' weight or the adjusting nut on the hand or the screenor all oithem.

it will also 'be understood that by increasing the number .of shaftsections, four or more positive speeds may be obtained.

From the foregoing description it is thought to he obvious that o, eviertransmission mechanism construct in accordance with my invention isparticularly 'well adapted for use by reason of the convenienceandacility with which it may ce assembled and operated, and it will alsohe obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change vmidinodication "without departing from the principles and spirit thereofand tierthis reason l do not wish to he understood as limiting myself tothe precise arranent and orrnntion or the several parte herein shown incarrying out m invention in prsctice except es heren arter claimed. lclaim: i l lin .e transmission mechanism, p, e ve shed-t, a driveneheit, seid dreven shaft being divided into a plurality of sections,

an eutcticelly ectueted variehle speed nrechaninn oneratively connectingedjacent sections ci the driven shaft, en en automatically sctuatedvariable speed mecha' niem operetively connecting the drive shaft andone ot the sections or thedriven each ci? said variehie speed mechanismsincluding hrelring elemente, the braking elenient et one or? suchmechanisatie hevgreeter leverage than the hrelnng eleniente or thesecond speed mechanism..

signature.

i mtime ln testimorr;r ivhereot l hereunto sr-r my.

